The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

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Computers, books on CDs high on list

Computer technology books and resources, along with books on compact discs, are the two of the fastest growing areas in the Fergus Falls Public Library. Library Director Walt Dunlap said both areas still have room for lots of growth, especially the computer reference section. &uot;It is something which we really don’t seem to be able to buy enough books to fill the need,&uot; he said. The infant book section and supplemental materials for the school district’s reading program are also fairly new and growing quickly, he said. &uot;(The infant books) have proven very popular,&uot; Dunlap said. &uot;We would like to expand that area.&uot; Reference librarian Candy Herbert said beyond those sections, every area of the library is also receiving frequent visits and growing steadily. &uot;It’s just a wide-range of things,&uot; she said. The steady growth over the years is reflected in circulation- which increased from 294,457 in 1998 to 297,447 in 1999. Visitor numbers, which include those people who go to the library but do not check out materials, have also increased from 181,428 in 1998 to 185,828 in 1999. Wednesday afternoon, for example, Herbert received numerous calls from people inquiring about everything from Hungarian language texts to past stock prices. People of all ages frequently are looking for self-help books, such as car repair, medical books or popular fiction. Many people also walk over to the library after visits to the hospital or clinic, Herbert says. She often helps find the answers to questions they didn’t have time to ask or pinpoint medical definitions to new words. The Fergus Falls Library is also the reference center for the entire Viking Library System – meaning anyone looking for a particular book or other material can go through the library to check across the entire state for the item. Herbert said it’s been pretty recent since the Viking Library connected with MnLink and it’s been a success. &uot;They come to us first,&uot; Herbert said. &uot;But people can access this from home.&uot; In future years, Herbert said she expects large print materials, young adult books and computers to be in high demand. More and more people are also calling, e-mailing and faxing in requests for materials from the library. But Herbert says they still want to keep attracting people to the building as well. &uot;We always want to encourage more people to come in,&uot; she said.